Jack's joy at pro deal

Rovers are delighted to announce that another of the club's rising stars, Jack Evans, has put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract.

The 17-year-old midfielder has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, which will keep him at Ewood Park until the summer of 2020.

Evans, who joined the club at the age of six, has risen through the Rovers ranks and is now a member of Damien Johnson's table-topping Under-23s.

The talented teenager has also played a key role in Rovers' progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, scoring both goals in the 2-1 victory over Stoke City at the third round stage.

The promising youngster was delighted to commit his future to the club, saying: "It's a great feeling. I've been at the club for a long time, so I couldn't be happier to get to this stage and I'm really looking forward to what is to come over many more years.

"I've been at Blackburn my whole life and I know no different. I love it here and it's a great club to be a part of.

"Signing your first professional contract is a big milestone, because throughout the Academy that's what you're aiming for. It's a great relief now to sign it and I'm really happy to do so because it means that I can focus on my football now.

"It's what every young lad dreams of doing, so I'm really happy. It's the first stepping stone to trying to get into the first team and ultimately that's what I want to be doing.

"I've still got a long way to go, but I'm really looking forward to what is to come now."